Are Couples More Prone to Divorce During Certain Times of the Year?

By
Roscich & Martell Law Firm, LLC
|May 11, 2017

When it comes to ending a marriage, the idea of good timing is nonexistent.
Even the very best of circumstances can appear bleak in the midst of such
a life-changing event.
Divorce affects the whole family, and there is no greater challenge for a previously
attached adult who once shared his or her life and home with someone else
than to pack up, pick up, and start over again. Still, some couples choose
to delay the divorce process, in hopes of waiting until the time is right.

Cultural Rituals and Human Psychology Play a Role in Divorce

Maybe you want to avoid the disruption of your child’s studies that
will result from relocating in the middle of the school year, or maybe
you simply want to wait until after the holidays have passed to break
the bad news to the family. Whatever the case, studies suggest there are
certain factors that influence a couple’s decision to wait for the
“best” time to call it quits. It turns out that divorces seem
to revolve around our views of the seasons, special times of the year,
and what we believe they represent.

Research shows that the following factors may influence when a couple chooses
to divorce:

Culturally symbolic seasons – According to a study conducted by researchers
from the University of Washington, calendar dates with culturally symbolic
relevance, such as Christmas or the Fourth of July, are divorce-filing
deterrents. Findings from the study imply that any American holiday that
holds some type of ritual significance tends to sway our decisions regarding
divorce timeframes.

A look at filings made in Washington state between 2001 and 2015 backs
up this idea, showing a clear and consistent spike in filings during the
months of March and August. These two months happen to be the periods
just after certain American holidays and standard vacation season. The
stress that surrounds holidays seems to play a role in this factor, as
many couples do not wish to rock the boat during special family parties
and gatherings, nor do they want to ruin a routinely happy time of year
with sad, life-altering news.

Mood fluctuations throughout the year – Along with waiting for holidays
to pass, family vacations are also events that are sometimes viewed by
discontent spouses as divorce blockers. For some, vacations may register
as a reason to delay filing for the same reason holidays seem like a good
reason to delay. Yet for others, vacation may represent one last opportunity
to salvage the marriage.

However a particular time of year affects one’s decision to divorce,
research also suggests that seasonal mood fluctuations may determine what
month a couple chooses to file for divorce. For example, a reported jump
in anxiety and depression statistics during early spring and late fall
may also indicate why some couples choose to file during the divorce-spiked
months as uncovered by the aforementioned study.

Whether you are ready to file for divorce tomorrow or you see the end of
your marriage on the horizon but are not quite ready to call it quits,
it is important to speak with a skilled
DuPage County divorce attorney if you want to protect your rights in the process. Let Roscich & Martel
Law Firm, LLC address your questions and concerns. Call (630) 793-6337
today for a personal consultation.

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